Japan's Economic Woes Offer Lessons To U.S.

Japan's economy has been struggling for two decades and faces some of the same problems the U.S. has. Here, a man in Tokyo passes an electronic board displaying falling global markets.

Yuriko NakaoReuters/Landov

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Originally published on December 21, 2012 9:21 pm

In the 1980s, Japan appeared to be a world beater — the China of its day. Japanese companies were on a tear, buying up firms in the U.S. and property around the world.

But these days, Japan is considered a cautionary tale for post-industrial economies around the world. The country is facing its fourth recession in what are commonly known as the "lost decades."

Japan's story resonates this holiday season as American politicians try to reach a debt deal.

"I really hope the U.S. is not getting into a Japanese situation," says Hiromichi Shirakawa, chief economist for Credit Suisse in Japan.

Shirakawa says a rapidly aging society, rising public spending and political paralysis have contributed to years of stagnation in Japan and that Americans should pay attention.

"If you look at some economic indicators, they're very, very similar," he says. "My concern is the U.S. economy may — not will — may follow the Japanese economy's path."

Over the years, the economies of Japan and the U.S. have faced some similar problems, albeit at different times and to different degrees.

Both had real estate bubbles that burst and banking systems that racked up tons of bad loans. Both Japan and the U.S. also have ultimately unsustainable public debts. Shirakawa says Japan's economic problems are about 10 years ahead of America's.

"The American people should learn from Japan that the economy could be like Japan without the political will to change the economic system," he says.

A Rapidly Aging Society

Robert Feldman, chief economist for Morgan Stanley MUFG Securities in Tokyo, says one big problem is Japan is rapidly aging, driving up health care and pensions costs. But the country's electoral system favors the elderly, so most politicians are afraid to slash services.

"It means they can't cut medical benefits, even though they are overgenerous," he says. "There's only a 10 percent copayment for older people when they go to the doctor, and they pay no insurance premiums."

So, Japan continues to shovel money toward older people — running up the national debt — instead of investing for the future.

Japan borrows money to fund current consumption. That does not help improve productivity, which is crucial to economic growth. Feldman says the problem in Japan, as in the U.S., is fundamentally political.

"There is an inherent myopia in the way democracies make decisions," he says. "Unless we can redesign our democratic institutions to think about the future a little bit more than we do now, then the sustainability of our living standards is called into question."

Some Key Differences

Of course, analogies only go so far and the U.S. has avoided some of the traps that have ensnared Japan.

For instance, the U.S. Federal Reserve has flooded the American economy with money, which prevented the potential price deflation that has plagued Japan.

And Naohiro Yashiro, who teaches economics at International Christian University in Tokyo, says that U.S. politicians are trying to force themselves to confront the debt.

"Japanese also need a device like the 'fiscal cliff,' " he says. "We don't have such schemes. So actually that is us who wants to follow the example of the United States."

Feldman says voters in both countries have to look past their short-term interests and think about the long-term health of their economies.

As an example — and perhaps a metaphor — he points to Japan's annual health exam, which includes body measurements. Among other things, the doctor measures your waist and let's you know if it's too big. Then, it's up to the patient to address the problem.

Feldman, a trim 59-year-old, went in for his exam last year.

"Fortunately, I was just under the limits," he says. "They are pretty tough limits here in Japan. I was quite proud of myself."

Feldman recalled the doctor said to him: "Hmm. Not bad for an American."

The song "Turning Japanese" was a kitsch hit in the '80s. These days, though, it's taken on new meaning as a warning for post-industrial economies around the world: Don't become like Japan. And it's a message that resonates this holiday season as American politicians try to reach a debt deal. NPR's Frank Langfitt returned from Japan this week and filed this report.

FRANK LANGFITT, BYLINE: I'm standing in the Shibuya section of Tokyo. It's one of the most vibrant sections of the city. There's tons of cars, lots of people out shopping, and on the surface everything looks fine. The fact of the matter is public debt here is more than twice the size of GDP, and Japan's economy is back in recession once again.

HIROMICHI SHIRAKAWA: I actually feel that this economy is gradually sinking.

LANGFITT: Hiromichi Shirakawa is chief economist for Credit Suisse in Japan. He says a rapidly aging society, rising public spending and political paralysis have contributed to years of stagnation, and Americans should pay attention.

SHIRAKAWA: I really hope that U.S. is not getting into a Japanese situation. If you take a look at some economic indicators - very, very similar. So my concern is that the U.S. economy may - I would say may, not will - follow a Japanese economy's path.

LANGFITT: Over the years, the economies of Japan and the U.S. have faced some similar problems, albeit at different times and to different degrees. Both had real estate bubbles that burst, banking systems that racked up tons of bad loans, and both have ultimately unsustainable public debts, bigger than their GDPs. Shirakawa says Japan's economic problems are about 10 years ahead of America's.

SHIRAKAWA: American people should learn from Japan that the economy could be like Japan without the political will to change economic system.

LANGFITT: Feldman says one big problem is Japan is rapidly aging, driving up health care and pensions costs. But the electoral system here favors the elderly, so most politicians are afraid to slash services.

FELDMAN: It means they can't cut medical benefits, even though they are overgenerous. There is only a 10 percent copayment for older people when they go to the doctor, and they pay no insurance premiums.

LANGFITT: So, Japan continues to shovel money towards older people, running up the national debt, instead of investing for the future.

FELDMAN: Basically what we've done is borrow money for current consumption, which is not exactly the best way to improve productivity in the economy.

LANGFITT: As in the U.S., Feldman says the problem is fundamentally political.

FELDMAN: There is an inherent myopia in the way that democracies make decisions, and unless we can redesign our democratic institutions to think about the future a little bit more than we do right now, then the sustainability of living standards is called into question.

LANGFITT: Of course, analogies only go so far. The U.S. has avoided some of the traps that have ensnared Japan. For instance, the Fed flooded the American economy with money to avoid the price deflation that has plagued Japan. And Naohiro Yashiro, who teaches economics at International Christian University in Tokyo, says to their credit, U.S. politicians are trying to force themselves to confront the debt.

NAOHIRO YASHIRO: Japan also need such kind of device as fiscal cliff, you see. We don't have such schemes. So actually that's us who wants to, how do you say, follow the example of the United States.

LANGFITT: Feldman says voters in both countries have to look past their short-term interests and think about the long-term health of their economies. As an example, and perhaps a metaphor, he points to Japan's annual health exam, which includes body measurements.

FELDMAN: You've got to go to the doctor every year, and if your waist is a little too bit, he's going to tell you about it. Once you know that, then you are responsible for doing something about it.

LANGFITT: Feldman, a trim 59-year-old, went in for his exam last year.

FELDMAN: Fortunately, I was just under the limit. And they're pretty tough limits here in Japan. I was very proud of myself. And the doctor said to me: Hmm, not bad for an American.